Method and apparatus for conducting a collaboration session in which screen displays are commonly shared with participants

ABSTRACT

A method for conducting a collaboration session, comprising: launching a collaboration session through a program on a computer so as to communicate with other computers concurrently logged on a network; and generating a graphics file including pixel information of a graphics image displayable on a display screen of the computer for transmission to the other computers so as to be viewable through graphics file readers associated with web browsers of the other computers during the collaboration session.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly-owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/563,658, filed May 2, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to methods of conductingcollaboration sessions and in particular, to a method and apparatus forconducting a collaboration session in which screen displays are commonlyshared with participants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is useful in a collaboration session at times for the screenor window display on a session participant's display screen to be sharedwith or displayed on other session participants' display screens. Oneexample of such a collaboration session is in a design conference wheresession participants discuss a particular design that is commonlydisplayed on each participant's display screen. One problem with certainconventional methods of conducting such collaboration sessions, however,is that each client participating in the conference needs to run thesame application program in order to view shared files. Another problemis that the application program generally needs to be run on the sameplatform. Still another problem is that shared files tend to be largeand require considerable transmission time.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea method and apparatus for conducting a collaboration session that doesnot require each client participating in the conference to run the sameapplication program in order to view shared files.

[0005] Another object is to provide a method and apparatus forconducting a collaboration session that is platform independent.

[0006] Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus forconducting a collaboration session that minimizes the size andtransmission time for shared files.

[0007] These and additional objects are accomplished by the variousaspects of the present invention, wherein briefly stated, one aspect ofthe invention is a method for conducting a collaboration session,comprising: launching a collaboration session through a program on acomputer so as to communicate with other computers concurrently loggedon a network; and generating a graphics file including pixel informationof a graphics image displayable on a display screen of the computer fortransmission to the other computers so as to be viewable throughgraphics file readers associated with web browsers of the othercomputers during the collaboration session.

[0008] Another aspect is a method for conducting a collaborationsession, comprising: providing an instant messenger for transmittinginstant messages between a computer and other computers concurrentlylogged on a network, and launching a collaboration session betweencomputers of a group including the computer and at least one of theother computers upon receiving an indication to do so from an operatorof the computer; and executing a snapshot program on the computer forgenerating a graphics file including pixel information of a graphicsimage displayable on a display screen of the computer so that thegraphics image is viewable through graphics file readers associated withweb browsers of computers of the group during the collaboration session.

[0009] In another aspect, an apparatus for conducting a collaborationsession comprises a computer having an instant messenger and a snapshotprogram. The instant messenger transmits instant messages between thecomputer and other computers concurrently logged on a network, andlaunches a collaboration session between computers of a group includingthe computer and at least one of the other computers upon receiving anindication to do so from an operator of the computer. The snapshotprogram generates a graphics file including pixel information of agraphics image displayable on a display screen of the computer so thatthe graphics image is viewable through graphics file readers associatedwith web browsers of computers of the group during the collaborationsession.

[0010] Still another aspect is a method for conducting a collaborationsession, comprising: selectively admitting a plurality of clientscommunicating through web browsers over a restricted user network to acollaboration session; receiving a graphics file indicative of agraphics image being displayed on a display screen of one of theplurality of clients; and transmitting the graphics file to theplurality of clients so that the graphics image is viewable throughgraphics file readers associated with the web browsers.

[0011] Additional objects, features and advantages of the variousaspects of the present invention will become apparent from the followingdescription of its preferred embodiments, which description should betaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a system including an apparatusfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram further detailing an interactivedesign conference on the client side.

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingsetting up an initiator of the design conference.

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a menu provided to the initiatorof the design conference before the initiator sets up the designconference.

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a menu provided to the initiatorof the design conference after the initiator sets up the designconference.

[0017]FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingthe initiator setting up the design conference.

[0018]FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingselectively admitting clients to the design conference.

[0019]FIG. 8 illustrates design conference application page displayed bya web browser after a participant joins a design conference.

[0020]FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting a graphics file to clients.

[0021]FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting an annotation of the graphics fileto clients.

[0022]FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting a message to clients.

[0023]FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including logging out participants from the design conference.

[0024]FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including logging out the initiator of the design conference aftercreating a data-log of the design conference.

[0025]FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of a system including an apparatusfor conducting a collaboration session.

[0026]FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of computers and associated softwarefor conducting a collaboration session launched through an instantmessenger.

[0027]FIG. 16 illustrates an instant messenger window displayable on adisplay screen of a computer.

[0028]FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for setting up acollaboration session in response to a launch initiated through aninstant messenger.

[0029]FIG. 18 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for setting upconsoles of invitees accepting an invitation to participate in acollaboration session.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0030]FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a system 100 including a webserver 10 programmed with control program 12 to conduct or manage one ormore interactive design conferences 30, 40, 50 over the Internet 20. Inaddition to the control program 12 and its associated databases, mastercopies of a snapshot program 14 and a java applet 16 also reside on theweb server 10. As will be described in detail below in reference toFIGS. 2-13, a copy of the snapshot program 14 is transmitted to aninitiator of each design conference, and a copy of the java applet 16 istransmitted to each participant of the design conference, including theinitiator, to facilitate the interactive design conference.

[0031]FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram further detailing representativeinteractive design conference 30, including web clients 310, 320, 330,communicating with web server 10 through respective web browsers 312,322, 332 over the Internet 20. In this example, web client 310 hasinitiated the design conference 30 by running a copy 316 of the snapshotprogram 14. A design database 314 is resident on web client 310. Webclient 310 selects data from the design database 314 to be presented toother web clients 320, 330 during the design conference by taking asnapshot of a window displayed on its display screen. The snapshotprogram 316 residing in web client 310 facilitates taking of thesnapshot, conversion of the snapshot into a graphics file, andtransmission of the graphics file to the web server 10. The graphicsfile may be in any one of a number of graphics file formats such asJPEG, GIF or TIF. The web server 10 receives the graphics file, andtransmits the graphics file to all web clients 310, 320, 330participating in the design conference.

[0032] The graphics file is indicative of a design stored in the designdatabase 314. As an example, if the design is an integrated circuitdesign, the design database may include physical layout information, andthe graphics file may include two-dimensional image information of a topview of the integrated circuit. To create the graphics file, the user atweb client 310 selects a window on its display screen, and clicks on anappropriate menu button presented by the snapshot program 316 on thedisplay screen. The snapshot program 316 then captures the pixelinformation in the selected window from a frame buffer in the web client310, converts the pixel information into a selected graphics fileformat, and transmits the graphics file to the web server 10. The webserver 10 then transmits the graphics file upon request to allparticipating web clients 310, 320, 330 in the design conference so asto be viewable as a graphics image through graphics file readers in orinvoked by the web browsers 312, 322, 332. Transmission of the graphicsfile to web clients 310, 320, 330 can be by specific download requestsfrom the web clients 310, 320, 330, or through requests automaticallygenerated by java applets 318, 328, 338 residing on the web clients 310,320, 330.

[0033] By transmitting the design information through graphics files inthis fashion, the information can be conveniently viewed throughconventional web browsers independent of platform. Further, to view thegraphics image, no special applications program is necessary, onlygraphics file readers already available with most web browsers. Finally,the graphics file format significantly compresses the data to betransmitted, making transmission quick and easy.

[0034] Each web client participating in the design conference receivesits respective copy 318, 328, 338 of the java applet 16 from the webserver 10 at the time it is admitted to the interactive designconference 30. The java applets 318, 328, 338 work with their respectiveclient web browsers 312, 322, 332 to perform several useful functions.For example, they automatically refresh the graphics image byperiodically requesting downloads from the web server 10. They alsofacilitate users of web clients 310, 320, 330 in making annotations ofthe graphics image, and transmitting the annotations back to the webserver 10 for retransmission to other web clients. They also facilitateusers of web clients 310, 320, 330 in transmitting messages back andforth to each other over the Internet 20 through the web server 10.

[0035]FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingsetting up the initiator of the design conference. In 301, the user atweb client 310 (the initiator) contacts web server 10 by addressing itsURL, and logs-on in a conventional fashion by providing a username andpassword when prompted. The web server 10 is programmed to check whetherthe username and password provided by the web client 310 is registeredin a database of registered users. If it is not, then the web server 10is programmed to transmit an appropriate error message back to the webclient 310. On the other hand, if it is, then the web server 10 isprogrammed to transmit a welcome page back to the web client 310, inHTML so that it may be interpreted by the web browser 312 and displayedon the user's display screen. From the welcome page, in 302, the userthen downloads the copy 316 of the snapshot program 14 from the webserver 10, in a version suitable for the system environment (e.g.,operating system and CPU type) of web client 310. Preferably, thedownload of the snapshot program uses FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

[0036]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a menu displayed on the webclient 310 by the snapshot program 316 after the snapshot program 316 isinitiated by the user of web client 310 through a conventional runprogram command, and FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the menu displayedon the web client 310 after the design conference is initiated. Beforethe design conference is initiated, button 401 functions to initiate asign-in procedure as described in reference to FIG. 6, when clicked bythe initiator. After the design conference is initiated, button 401functions to initiate an initiator log-out procedure as described inreference to FIG. 13, when clicked by the initiator. Buttons 402 and 403are used after the design conference is initiated to respectively take asnapshot of a window displayed on the display screen of web client 310,and transmit a graphics file containing image information of that windowto web clients participating in the design conference. To send images toother participants, the initiator simply clicks on the grab button 402,then clicks on the window whose image is to be sent, then clicks on thesend button 403.

[0037]FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingthe initiator setting up the design conference. In 601, the user of webclient 310 logs-on by clicking the sign-in button 401, and proceeding asdescribed in reference to 301 of FIG. 3. In 602, the web server 10 isprogrammed to initiate the design conference by first setting up adesign conference group. The preferred method of doing 602 is byassigning a conference identification number to the design conference,and reserving memory space for a list of attendees starting with theinitiator (user of web client 310), and including other participants(users, of web clients 320, 330) after being admitted to the designconference by providing the conference identification number to the webserver 10. Alternatively, 602 may be performed by the initiator firstproviding a list of authorized attendees (e.g., by username and/orpassword), and reserving memory space for a list of attendees startingwith the initiator, and including other participants after beingadmitted to the design conference by the web server 10 verifying thatsuch other participants are on the initiator's list of authorizedattendees. In 603, the copy 318 of the java applet 16 is transmitted tothe web client 310 along with a design conference application page forthe design conference 30.

[0038]FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a portion of a method forconducting an interactive design conference over the Internet, includingselectively admitting clients to the design conference after initiatedby the initiator. In 701, the users at web clients 320, 330 (otherparticipants) first contact web server 10 by addressing its URL, thenlog-on. In the preferred method described in reference to 602, the otherdesign conference participants log-on by providing the previouslyassigned conference identification number for the design conference 30.In the alternative method described in reference to 602, the otherdesign conference participants merely identify themselves by providing,for example, their username and password. In 702, the web server 10 isprogrammed to confirm that each participant logging on is authorized toparticipate in the design conference 30. In the preferred methoddescribed in reference to 602, such confirmation merely requires thatthe conference identification number provided by the participant matchesthe conference identification number previously provided to theinitiator and assigned to the design conference 30. In the alternativemethod described in reference to 602, confirmation requires that theidentity of each participant matches that previously provided by theinitiator.

[0039] After confirming authorization of the other design conferenceparticipants to participate in the design conference 30, in 703, the webserver 10 is programmed to update the attendee list by adding theidentity of the participant and the URL of the participant's web clientto the attendee list. In 704, a copy of the java applet 16 is preferablytransmitted to the newly admitted participant's web client, along withthe design conference application page for the design conference 30.

[0040]FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a design conference applicationpage 800 transmitted to web clients 310, 320, 330, and displayed bytheir respective web browsers 312, 322, 332 after their respective usersjoin the design conference 30. The application page 800 has two majorareas. A display window 801 is reserved for displaying the graphicsimage provided by the initiator as described in reference to FIG. 9. Aright menu frame 802, 803 includes a top portion 802 for imagemanipulation and annotation, and a bottom portion 803 for a Chat area.Graphics image manipulation functions include Pan and Zoom. Annotationis facilitated by the use of provided Markers that can be of selectablestyles, such as alphanumeric, a line, a circle or oval, or a square orrectangle, and selectable colors. Typically, each web client uses adifferent color to quickly indicate the source of the annotation. TheChat area functions like a conventional chat facility where messages canbe typed and transmitted to other web clients, or received from otherweb clients and displayed.

[0041]FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting a graphics file to clients. In 901,the web server 10 is programmed to receive a graphics file from theinitiator web client 310, and in 902, transmit the graphics file to allweb clients 310, 320, 330 participating in the design conference 30 soas to be viewable as a graphics image through graphics file readers inor invoked by web browsers 312, 322, 332. The received graphics file maybe in any one of a number of common graphics file formats such as JPEG,GIF or TIF.

[0042]FIG. 10 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting an annotation of the graphics fileto clients. In 1001, the web server 10 is programmed to receive anannotation of the graphics file from any of the web clients 310, 320,330, and in 1002, transmit the annotation to all participating clients310, 320, 330 so as to be-viewable as an overlay over the graphicsimage. The received annotation or Marker may be in any one of a numberof styles and colors provided in the image manipulation and annotationarea 802 of the design conference application page 800.

[0043]FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including receiving and transmitting a message to clients. In 1101, theweb server 10 is programmed to receive a message from any of the webclients 310, 320, 330, and in 1102, transmit the message to allparticipating clients 310, 320, 330 so as to be readable in an areaadjacent to the graphics image. Operation and feel of the messagingsystem is preferably a chat room type environment utilizing the Chatarea 803 of the design conference application page 800.

[0044]FIG. 12 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including logging out participants from the design conference. In 1201,the web server 10 is programmed to recognize a log-out request receivedfrom one of the design conference participants using web clients 320,330, after the participant logs off in a conventional manner by clickingon a Log-off or Exit button located on the design conference applicationpage 800. In 1202, the web server 10 then updates the attendee list bydeleting the participant logging off the design conference 30 from theattendee list.

[0045]FIG. 13 illustrates a flow diagram of another portion of a methodfor conducting an interactive design conference over the Internet,including logging out the initiator of the design conference aftercreating a data-log of the design conference. In 1301, the web server 10is programmed to recognize a log-out request received from the initiatorof the design conference using web client 310 after the initiator logsoff in a conventional manner by clicking on a Log-off or Exit button 401of a menu adjacent to the design conference application page 800. In1302, the web server 10 then creates a data-log of the design conference30 for future reference, and in 1303, updates the attendee list bydeleting the initiator of the design conference 30 from the attendeelist.

[0046]FIGS. 3, 6 and 8 describe a preferred method for conducting aninteractive design conference over the Internet, including transmittinga copy 316 of the snapshot program 14 and a copy 318 of the java applet16 from the web server 10 to the initiator web client 310.Alternatively, the functions of the snapshot program 14, the java applet16, and even the web browser 312, may be included in a “wrap-around”program that may stand alone and cooperate with a design applicationprogram that generates the graphics image, or be an integral part of orintegrated into the design application program.

[0047] When transmitting graphics files representing a sequence ofimages, each image in the sequence may only be modestly different thanan immediately prior image. Therefore, to reduce the size of thegraphics files and the time it takes to download them, it is desirableto store and transmit image updates employing high compression encoding.U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/940,098, assigned to the sameassignee as the present invention and titled “Method and Apparatus forTransmitting Image Updates Employing High Compression Encoding”describes one such method and apparatus which is incorporated herein inits entirety by this reference.

[0048] Although the discussion to this point has been directed towardsan interactive design conference conducted over the Internet, it shouldbe readily appreciated that its teachings can be applied tocollaboration sessions in general in which screen displays are commonlyshared with participants. In addition, it should be readily appreciatedthat such teachings are also generally applicable to a restricted usernetwork, such as a company controlled Intranet or Virtual PrivateNetwork (VPN), as well as the Internet. A common characteristic of suchrestricted user networks is their restriction of access only to thoseusers (i.e., operators of computers) that have logged on to the networkby providing, for example, a valid user identification and password.

[0049]FIG. 14 illustrates a diagram of a system 1400 including anapparatus for conducting a collaboration session. In the system 1400,server computer 1401 and client computers 1402˜1406 communicate with oneanother through a network 1410. For this example, clients 1402, 1403 and1404 are of one platform type running on an operating system such asthose developed for personal computers, and clients 1405 and 1406 are ofanother platform type running on an operating system such as Unix orLinux. When the network 1410 is the Internet, the system 1400 operatesas described above in reference to FIGS. 1˜13. When the network 1410 isa restricted user network, however, the system 1400 preferably takesadvantage of certain built-in security features of the network 1410 tosimplify initiation of a collaboration session.

[0050]FIG. 15 illustrates a diagram of computers and associated softwareof the system 1400 that are used for conducting a collaboration sessionbetween clients 1403, 1404 and 1405. For this example, the network 1410is a restricted user network and the collaboration session is launchedthrough instant messenger 1532 of the client 1405. Server 1401 has acontrol program (CNTRL) 1501 for managing the collaboration session inmuch the same manner as web server 10 of FIG. 1, except that initiatingand joining the collaboration session is simplified since the network1410 is a restricted user network. In particular, since users of clients1402˜1406 have already logged-on to the network 1410, for example, byproviding their respective user identifications and passwords when firstaccessing the network 1410, it is not necessary for them to re-identifythemselves when initiating or joining a collaboration session. Inaddition to the control program 1501, server 1401 also has master copiesof a snapshot program (SNAP) 1502 and java applet (JAV) 1503 thatperform the same functions as their counterparts 14 and 16 of the system100 described in reference to FIG. 1.

[0051] Clients 1403, 1404 and 1405 have respective Web Browsers (WB)1511, 1521 and 1531; respective Instant Messengers (IM) 1512, 1522 and1532; and respective copies of the java applet (JAV) 1513, 1523 and1533. The web browsers are conventional web browsers such as thosecommonly used to access the Internet. The instant messengers, however,are specially configured to run in an enterprise-wide or company-wideenvironment and launch collaboration sessions in such an environment.

[0052] Client 1405 being the initiator and initial session leader of thecollaboration session also has an application program (APPLIC) 1535 andcopy of the snapshot program (SNAP) 1534. The application program 1535generates graphics images in one or more windows that are displayable ona display screen of the client 1405. The snapshot program 1534 capturespixel information of the graphics images in an user selected window froma frame buffer in the client 1405; converts the captured pixelinformation into a selected graphics file format such as JPEG, GIF, TIF,ZLIB or PNG; and transmits the resulting graphics file to the server1401 for retransmission to clients 1403 and 1404 over the network 1410during the collaboration session.

[0053] Java applets such as 1513, 1523 and 1533 may be pre-installed oneach of the clients 1402˜1406 in the system 1400, or as previouslydescribed in reference to FIGS. 1˜13, downloaded at the time theircorresponding clients initiate or join a collaboration session.Likewise, snapshot programs such as snapshot program 1534 may also bepre-installed on each of the clients 1402˜1406, or as previouslydescribed in reference to FIGS. 1˜13, downloaded to a collaborationsession initiator upon launching of the collaboration session, or toother collaboration session participants when they need it.

[0054]FIG. 16 illustrates, as an example, an Instant Messenger (IM)window 1600 displayable on a display screen of one of the clients 1403,1404 or 1405. A conventional contacts or groups list area 1601 showsthree groups—Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3—for its respective client.Other clients may have different groups identified for their respectiveinstant messengers. A button is provided next to each of the groups sothat when it is clicked by a user, the group is selected and informationof the individual group members is displayed. A button is also providednext to each member of the group in that case so that when it is clickedby a user, the member is selected so that an instant message may be sentto that member by the user. Indications of which group members arecurrently logged on to the network 1410 are also displayed. An actionsarea 1602 includes buttons that allow the user or operator to performcertain actions such as send an instant message to a selected member ofa group or broadcast a message to all of the members of a selectedgroup, or launch a collaboration session with a selected one of thegroups.

[0055]FIG. 17 illustrates a flow diagram of a method performed by theserver 1401 for setting up a collaboration session in response to alaunch initiated through instant messenger 1532 of client 1405 onnetwork 1410, which is a restricted user network for this example. In1701, a collaboration session launch request is received from a networknode identified as client 1405 by its host identification (ID), which isa unique identifier such as a computer identification number or anetwork interface card identification number. The network node alsoidentifies the user making the request since the node was associatedwith the user when the user logged-on to the network 1410 from thatnetwork node. In addition to the launch request generated through theinstant messenger 1532 of the client 1405, information of the selectedgroup is also received at this point.

[0056] In 1702, it is determined whether or not copies of the snapshotprogram and java applet have already been installed on the requestingnode's computer 1705. This determination may be made, for example, frominformation in a configuration file residing on the server 1401 thatindicates whether or not such copies have already been provided to eachhost ID on the network 1410. Alternatively, this determination may bemade from information requested by the server 1401 following its receiptof the launch request, or from information provided by the requestingnode's computer 1405 along with the launch request. If the determinationin 1702 is NO, then in 1703, the server 1401 downloads copies of thesnapshot program and/or the java applet to the requesting node'scomputer 1405. On the other hand, if the determination in 1702 is a YES,then the method skips 1703 and proceeds directly to 1704. In 1704, anattendee list is established initially including the user identificationof the user initiating the collaboration session, and preferablydisplayed and periodically updated on the application conference pageprovided to all participants as they join the collaboration session. In1705, an application conference page such as described in reference toFIG. 8 is transmitted to the requesting node's computer 1405 anddisplayed along with a menu such as the menu described in reference toFIG. 5. The requesting node's computer 1405 is now ready to participatein the collaboration session. In 1706, all members of the selected groupthat are currently or subsequently on-line are then invited to attend orparticipate in the collaboration session until its completion.

[0057]FIG. 18 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for setting upconsoles of invitees accepting the invitation to participate in acollaboration session. In 1801, the acceptance is received. In 1802, itis determined whether or not a copy of the java applet has already beeninstalled on the invitee's computer. This determination may be made in asimilar fashion as described in reference to 1702 of FIG. 17. If thedetermination in 1802 is NO, then in 1803, the server 1401 downloads acopy of the java applet to the invitee's computer (e.g., 1403 or 1404).On the other hand, if the determination in 1802 is YES, then the methodskips 1803 and proceeds directly to 1804. In 1804, the attendee list isupdated with the invitee's user identification. In 1805, an applicationconference page as described in reference to FIG. 8 is then transmittedto the invitee's computer and displayed on its display screen. Theinvitee's computer is now ready to participate in the collaborationsession. As participants subsequently leave the collaboration session,the attendee list will be accordingly updated to reflect deletion oftheir respective user identifications, and such updated attendee list isprovided in the application conference page displayed on remainingparticipants' display screens.

[0058] Although the various aspects of the present invention have beendescribed with respect to a preferred embodiment, it will be understoodthat the invention is entitled to full protection within the full scopeof the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A method for conducting a collaboration session,comprising: launching a collaboration session through a program on acomputer so as to communicate with other computers concurrently loggedon a network; and generating a graphics file including pixel informationof a graphics image displayable on a display screen of said computer fortransmission to said other computers so as to be viewable throughgraphics file readers associated with web browsers of said othercomputers during said collaboration session.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said program is an instant messenger, and said computerand said other computers are members of a group identified through saidinstant messenger.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidnetwork is a restricted user network.
 4. The method according to claim3, wherein said restricted user network is an intranet.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 3, wherein said restricted user network is a virtualprivate network.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidgraphics file is formatted as a JPEG file.
 7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said graphics file is formatted as a GIF file.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said graphics file is formatted asa PNG file.
 9. A method for conducting a collaboration session,comprising: providing an instant messenger for transmitting instantmessages between a computer and other computers concurrently logged on anetwork, and launching a collaboration session between computers of agroup including said computer and at least one of said other computersupon receiving an indication to do so from an operator of said computer;and providing a snapshot program to said computer for generating agraphics file including pixel information of a graphics imagedisplayable on a display screen of said computer so that said graphicsimage is viewable through graphics file readers associated with webbrowsers of computers of said group during said collaboration session.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said snapshot programgenerates said graphics file upon receiving an indication to do so fromsaid operator of said computer.
 11. The method according to claim 9,wherein said network is a restricted user network.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 11, wherein said restricted user network is anintranet.
 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said restricteduser network is a virtual private network.
 14. The method according toclaim 9, wherein said graphics file is formatted as a JPEG file.
 15. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein said graphics file is formatted asa GIF file.
 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein said graphicsfile is formatted as a PNG file.
 17. The method according to claim 9,wherein said operator provides said indication to launch saidcollaboration session through a launch command indicator displayed onsaid display screen by said instant messenger.
 18. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein said operator identifies said group through at leastone group identification indicator displayed on said display screen bysaid instant messenger.
 19. The method according to claim 9, whereinsaid group is automatically determined by identifications ofparticipants in a chat session managed by said instant messenger.
 20. Anapparatus for conducting a collaboration session, comprising a computerhaving: an instant messenger for transmitting instant messages betweensaid computer and other computers concurrently logged on a network, andlaunching a collaboration session between computers of a group includingsaid computer and at least one of said other computers upon receiving anindication to do so from an operator of said computer; and a snapshotprogram for generating a graphics file including pixel information of agraphics image displayable on a display screen of said computer so thatsaid graphics image is viewable through graphics file readers associatedwith web browsers of computers of said group during said collaborationsession.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said snapshotprogram generates said graphics file upon receiving an indication to doso from said operator of said computer.
 22. The apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein said network is a restricted user network.
 23. Theapparatus according to claim 22, wherein said restricted user network isan intranet.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein saidrestricted user network is a virtual private network.
 25. The apparatusaccording to claim 22, further comprising a server connected to saidrestricted user network and configured so as to receive said graphicsfile from said computer and transmit said graphics file to saidcomputers of said group during said collaboration session.
 26. Theapparatus according to claim 20, wherein said graphics file is formattedas a JPEG file.
 27. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein saidgraphics file is formatted as a GIF file.
 28. The apparatus according toclaim 20, wherein said graphics file is formatted as a PNG file.
 29. Theapparatus according to claim 20, wherein said operator provides saidindication to launch said collaboration session through a launch commandindicator displayed on said display screen by said instant messenger.30. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said operatoridentifies said group through at least one group identificationindicator displayed on said display screen by said instant messenger.31. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said group isautomatically determined by identifications of participants in a chatsession managed by said instant messenger.
 32. A method for conducting acollaboration session, comprising: selectively admitting a plurality ofclients communicating through web browsers over a restricted usernetwork to a collaboration session; receiving a graphics file indicativeof a graphics image being displayed on a display screen of one of saidplurality of clients; and transmitting said graphics file to saidplurality of clients so that said graphics image is viewable throughgraphics file readers associated with said web browsers.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 32, wherein said receiving a graphics file comprisesreceiving a JPEG file.
 34. The method according to claim 32, whereinsaid receiving a graphics file comprises receiving a GIF file.
 35. Themethod according to claim 32, wherein said receiving a graphics filecomprises receiving a PNG file.
 36. The method according to claim 32,further comprising providing a snapshot program to one of said pluralityof clients, and said receiving a graphics file comprises receiving agraphics file generated by said snapshot program from said one of saidplurality of clients.
 37. The method according to claim 36, wherein saidsnapshot program is included as part of an application programgenerating said graphics image being displayed on said display screen ofsaid one of said plurality of clients.
 38. The method according to claim32, further comprising providing a java applet to each of said pluralityof clients to run in said web browsers, and said transmitting saidgraphics file comprises transmitting said graphics file to saidplurality of clients in response to said java applets.